Shenzhen Museum of Contemporary Art and Urban Planning

Overview

The Shenzhen Museum of Contemporary Art and Urban Planning (MOCAUP) occupies a striking cloudlike building in the Futian Civic Centre area, designed by Austrian firm Coop Himmelb(l)au. It combines contemporary art exhibitions with displays about Shenzhen's urban development and future city planning.

Highlights

• Architecture: The building's sweeping, organic steel-and-glass form is one of the most photographed structures in Shenzhen.
• Urban Planning Gallery: Interactive models and projections trace Shenzhen's transformation from a 30,000-person border town in 1979 to a megalopolis of over 17 million.
• Rotating Exhibitions: Major international contemporary art shows are hosted throughout the year.

History

The museum opened in 2017 as a joint initiative between the Shenzhen and Vienna city governments. Its dual mandate — contemporary art on one side, urban planning on the other — reflects Shenzhen's identity as both a cultural frontier and a laboratory for rapid urbanisation.

Visitor Tips

• Free Entry: No ticket required, but you may need to book online for special exhibitions.
• Combine: Visit alongside the adjacent Shenzhen Art Museum (New) and Shenzhen Library.
• Duration: 1–1.5 hours.